I am guessing that the suggestions to get a pedal steel and forget about wasting time with benders are coming from people who already play pedal steel guitars.
In my case I've been playing lapsteel for over 20 years, and have owned a Duesenberg with benders. I didn't start playing pedal steel until last year and I'm 69.
But hey, sounds like you have your answer. And it is a good answer for now. Enjoy.
I am starting to enjoy the benders on my little lap steel, it gives me just a little more options and room to express myself. IMO it was worth it, of course I am always tinkering with something and I kind if like carrying around a Chinese Frankenstein lap steel. I have to say good things about the Peter's Benders so far they work great. I am glad I did that and not the "spoon" mod I was seeing on YouTube. LOL
Have had the itch to put benders on for a while now. Reading this thread makes me think maybe I should just hold off and continue playing regular lap steel. Can pull off some pretty decent steel licks with behind the bar bends and a vol pedal, still struggling with clean slants though. Started using GBDF#AD instead of my usual open e in preparation for putting benders on and I’m actually really liking that tuning!
If I can find some used benders I’ll probably still give it a shot.
Steve Lipsey wrote:Gretsch Electromatic 5700. Cheap, and extends far enough back to hold benders. I had one...
I still have mine and am still very satisfied.
I don't play it very often, but sometimes you need that special "pedal" sound (like two weeks ago, when I did some studio work for a folk singer from Alabama (David Munyion)).
I think, it's not a question of "either ... or". In my opinion, one needs an additional lapsteel with a 6th tuning. My main guitars are a '48 Panda and a '35 National Electro.
By the way, here's the Electromatic "in action": 'Stand By Your Man' with Duesenberg Multibender
